On Monday I forgot it was Advent. Yep, the second day of Advent and already this priestly fellow got distracted by the demands of the day and the cultural Christmas season. I needed an interruption to nudge me back toward the very truth I tried to preach on Sunday: What am I waiting for? I’m waiting for the coming of Jesus, for the Judge to return and set things right.
I encourage you to welcome intentional interruptions into your week this Advent season. Here are some suggestions:
· Light your Advent wreath: Get out (or create!) your Advent wreath, and set aside one morning or evening a week to light the candle(s). Use Immanuel’s Advent Wreath Liturgy, or simply sit in silence for a few minutes. (Contact the church office if you’re not receiving Immanuel’s weekly Advent Wreath Liturgy via email.)
· Listen to Advent music: Slightly different from Christmas carols! These are songs of preparation and anticipation. I suggest Wendell Kimbrough’s album titled Advent – EP (available on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon).
· Reflect on Advent art and poetry: This year I discovered Biola’s “The Advent Art Project 2024”, which provides a creative integration of art and biblical reflection.
· Attend our Wednesday Advent Compline service: The smell of incense, the sound of chant, and the quiet of contemplation – our 7pm Compline service is a twenty-minute, prayerful oasis. You can also join via livestream.
One final recommendation specific to this week: Discover the man behind the myth of Santa Claus! Tomorrow, December 6th, is the Feast of St. Nicholas. Listen to the Our Church Speaks podcast created by two clergy in our diocese, or read about him on Anglican Compass.
Of course, our Sunday services are reoriented toward Advent with changes to the liturgy, music, and Scriptures, all of them intended to interrupt our usual worship and reorient us to the coming of Jesus. I look forward to waiting with you for his return this Sunday.
Your Pastor in Christ,
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